Bustle



I. W. HAKES, JR., AND A. H. HAKES, OF NORWIGH, CONNECTICUT.

BUSTLE.

Specification of Letters Patent 1\To. 23,681, dated April 19, 1859.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, I. l/V. HAKES, Jr., and A. H. Hanns, of Norwich, in the county of New London and State of Connecticut, have invented an Improved Bustle for Ladies Dresses; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this speciiication, in which- Figure l, is a side view of our bustle'. F ig. 2, is a top view of the same. Fig. 3, is a section of the back part of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate 'corresponding parts in the several figures.

To enable others to make our invention, we will proceed to describe it with reference to the drawings.

A, is the waist band, by which all the parts of the bustle are supported and by which the bustle is attached to the person.

B, ,is a horizontal spring forming the lower margin of the bustle, attached to the lower margin of the waist band by a series of straps of tape, a, a, al, al, commencing near the front and continued all around the back, said straps increasing in length toward the center of the back. This spring B, may be a complete hoop, either of fixed size or having slides to adjust it; or it may terminate at its connection with the two front straps al, al, so as to leave the bustle, with the exception of the waist band, open in front.

C, is a horizontal spring arranged near the waist band A, connecting with every one of the tapes a, a, al, al, and terminating at the front tapes al, al. The distance between the waist band and the connections of the spring C, and straps al, c, al, al, increases gradually toward the back of the bustle, the spring being nearly close to the band, at its connection with the two front tapes a, a.

D, D, are vertically arranged springs (that is to say, operating in vertical planes) corresponding in number with the tapes a, a, al, al, having their ends connected with the springs B and C, or connected with the straps a, a, al, al, close to the springs B, and C, in such a manner as to abut against the latter springs. The springs D, D,

which connect with the two front tapes al, al, are straight, or nearly so, the next two are slightly curved, and an increase of curve is given, as the springs approach the center of the back where they have a curve of nearly a semi-circle.

E, is a spring having its ends connected at the junction of the two front springs D, D, and straps al, al, with the bottom spring B, and passing' upward in an oblique direction around the interior of the springs D, D, to which it is connected by metal slides Z), Z), which are of such construction as to permit the said spring E, to be ad- `justed Ahigher or lower upon the springs D, D, the said spring, during such adjust- Y* ment, remaining always attached permanently at its ends, as above mentioned.

F, is a curved spring made in two pieces attached to the inside of the bottom spring B, at the two sides of the bustle, and con` nected together by slides c, c, which permit of its being lengthened and shortened. Gr, is a spring of similar character applied in a similar manner inside of the spring E.

d, is a looped strap suspended from the back of the waist band and passing under spring G, to prevent its dropping down.

The several springs may be made of steel, or other metal, or elastic material, and should be covered with braiding or other substantially similar fabric. lThe attachment of the several springs and straps may be made by fixed metal clasps, or by sewing, except the adjustable connections of the Springs D, D, with the spring E, which must be metal slides.

The operation and effect of the several parts are as follows: The springs D, D, and B, combine to give the necessary rotundity to the bustle. The straps a, a, al, al, serve to sustain the springs D, D, in their curved form of the springs D, D, and by moving it higher up or lower down, the said springs D, D, serves to throw the bow lower down or higher up, to suit the taste of the wearer.

And the springs F, G, by being shortened straps (a ai) and spring E, when otherwise or lengthened, serve, by drawing the sides constructed as herein shown in described. l0

of the bustle more or less toward each other to throw out the bustle more or less in e JR' 5 backward direction. l

Having described my invention, I claim, Titnessesz as an improved article of manufacture, JOHN WV. BULKELEY,

A bustle provided with front holding ELLIS HARKNESS. 

